HI there! the optional guard on the Face is to encourage those that work in Schutzhund to try Ring... :-) Basically, the rule of thumb is, "decoy with gun, stay, decoy with stick, come". So, when you out your dog on the handler defense, and the decoy has a gun, the dog should stay close, and guard, since the decoy is still "dangerous". The guard at the handler defense is only five points, though, so at this late date, I'd be working more on getting him to bite full, and deep, away from you for thirty seconds, and then coming when called....